Franciscan Conversion: Turning Toward the Truly Good

Franciscan Conversion: Turning Toward the Truly Good Krijn Pansters (bio) 1. Religious Conversion The year 2019 marked 900 years ago since Francis of Assisi’s visit to Egypt Sultan Al-Kamil and speak him about Christ. All around world, people celebrated this important event as a groundbreaking Christian-Muslim encounter, often seen first example or one earliest forms interreligious dialogue.1 Nothing is known what saint sultan talked about, we are not sure true motives on mission sultan’s reasons for receiving Francis. probably intended do he describes in chapter 16 his own rule good behavior those who go among Saracenes: “As brothers go, they can live spiritually Saracens nonbelievers two ways. One way engage arguments disputes but be subject every human creature God’s sake acknowledge that Christians. other announce Word God, when see it pleases Lord, order [unbelievers] may believe almighty Father, Son Holy Spirit, Creator all, Son, Redeemer Savior, baptized become Christians [...].”2 This, naturally, was done peaceful way, contrasted with violence crusaders. I also tend agree Thomas Celano biographers: “Francis traveled region Syria, hurrying Sultan. Assaulted beaten preached Christ.”3 His primary aim was, words, conversion Christianity.4 [End Page 1] missionary Middle Ages well our “age pluralism” well-researched well-documented.5 general phenomenon remains controversial contaminated subject. Inherently connected core issues freedom, power, ideology, associated compulsion, subjugation, extremism. For missionaries mystics, however, represents gateway better life key salvation. Regardless their repugnant promising aspects, different uses guises point profound process life-changing potential. religious has occupied many social scientists backgrounds at least Stanley Hall’s lectures (1881) psychology Freud’s theory disorder, which defines hysteria “the transformation psychical excitation into chronic somatic symptoms.”6 larger part these scholars primarily interested innerreligious – an area much discussed by religion.7 2] current article will deal so fundamental spiritual moral reorientation another person, i.e. brought normative agency (active conversion), revolves personal experience decisive new beginning, change self identity (passive conversion). fact usually interrelated becomes especially evident tradition: within decade after Francis’s death, thousands “converts” spread Gospel message word deed others. Within decades, had leading institution Western Christianity. remained moment instrument lives sisters (as Franciscan-Muslim relationships). Many have studied societal effects revolutionary program based call virtues poverty, penance, peace. More work largest conversional efforts medieval modern society. Here, focus lie dynamics dimensions converts, including some implications modern-day conversion.8 2. Of conversion, tells us Testament: “For I...